In many places outside the U.S., prison tattooing is fair game, and can be used to designate allegiances within the prison or as a form of self-expression in an otherwise barren place.

Prison Tattoos

Danilo has been in prison for 13 years for child abuse and rape. He chose the logo of his gang as his special tattoo. During his tough times when he was still new in prison, the gang helped him a lot.

Image: Ralph Piezas/NurPhoto/Corbis

Jovic has served 13 years in prison on drug charges. He had the grim reaper "kamatayan" inked on his arms shortly after he arrived in prison. Jovic claims that we will never know when the "guy on my arm" would take us.

Image: Ralph Piezas/NurPhoto/Corbis

Ameliano has been in prison for 22 years for murder. He had a gang symbol tattooed on his leg. Ameliano worked, with his gang's approval, to keep the peace. The tattoo shows his commitment to the gang's vision of peace behind bars. The gang gave him the strength and security to endure 22 years in prison.

Image: Ralph Piezas/NurPhoto/Corbis

Joseph has been in prison for 11 years after he was sentenced for murder. The image of Mary on his chest helped him a lot during those years. He prays everyday, asking for forgiveness, strength and guidance from her. She is the only person he can share all his problems with, he said.

Image: Ralph Piezas/NurPhoto/Corbis

Arthur has been imprisoned for 10 years for rape and child abuse. He had an image of Jesus Christ tattooed on his shoulder because his faith in God was the only thing that helped him go through tough times. He believes Jesus is the only person he can run to when in need and share his problems.

Image: Ralph Piezas/NurPhoto/Corbis

Audrey has been behind bars for seven years for car theft. Audrey had a flower tattooed on her hand alongside an image of a demon. It was for her first broken heart when she got cheated on and left by her boyfriend, Jay. The demon represents how evil Jay was to her and the flower shows her despair for what happened to their relationship.

Image: Ralph Piezas/NurPhoto/Corbis

Joy has spent 12 years in prison for double murder. He had a lady called "Babay sa Dughan" tattooed on his chest. When he was sentenced, his wife found another man and left him. This broke his heart and prompted him to get the tattoo because he claims that the woman on his chest would never leave him, no matter how bad the situation is. When asked if the lady on his chest is someone real, he said that when he gets out of prison he is going to find the woman on his chest.

Image: Ralph Piezas/NurPhoto/Corbis

Jose was charged with murder and has been in prison for 10 years. He has been fascinated by dragons ever since he was a kid. The dragon's beauty and form got Jose's attention and its power was forever imprinted in his mind.

Image: Ralph Piezas/NurPhoto/Corbis

Juana has spent nine years behind bars for drug charges. Juana had the name Evelits tattooed on her leg. Evelits is her cellmate and is one of the highest members of their group in the jail. Having her name inked on her body represents her agreement with the rules and vision of the group and her gratitude for what Evelits has done for her inside the jail.

Image: Ralph Piezas/NurPhoto/Corbis

Nestor has spent 12 years in prison since he was charged with murder. He has the Pdic Go tattoo on his arm as a sign of gratitude to Pdic Go, who was a fellow inmate and Nestor's best friend. He got him through tough times during his first years inside prison.

Image: Ralph Piezas/NurPhoto/Corbis

Roland has been in prison for 11 years for murder. He has a dragon tattooed on his arm because when he leaves prison this tattoo would show people that he was locked up and would represent his toughness and the strength he summoned to face difficulties behind bars.

Image: Ralph Piezas/NurPhoto/Corbis

Michael has been behind bars for 13 years for drug involvement. Michael's tattoo is of the jail consultant Marco Toral. This tattoo shows that he is forever grateful to the privileges and programs that helped the inmates and their families. It is a permanent sign of gratitude and acceptance of the rules that were made by Toral.

Image: Ralph Piezas/NurPhoto/Corbis

Jofel has been in prison for eight years because of drugs. Jofel has an artistic portrait of his friend who was also an inmate tattooed on his arm. His friend helped him with his needs and gave him supplies. He was more than a sponsor to him: He was his lifesaver.

Image: Ralph Piezas/NurPhoto/Corbis

Winnie has been in prison for 12 years for murder. In prison, Winnie spent his spare time with people he now considers to be his close friends and sponsors. To show his gratitude to them, he got a tattoo of their names.

Image: Ralph Piezas/NurPhoto/Corbis

Mark has been in prison for 10 years for drugs. He got the names of his "Ninong" godfathers that helped him acclimate to life behind bars tattooed on his body. He was thankful for the supplies and security that his Ninongs gave him inside the prison.

Image: Ralph Piezas/NurPhoto/Corbis

MJ has been in prison for three years for drugs. She chose to have the rosary tattooed on her arm because the rosary has been her way to talk about her problems and concerns to God.

Image: Ralph Piezas/NurPhoto/Corbis

Vicente has been in prison for five years for murder. He has the image of Mary tattooed on his chest. It is special for him because in times of deep trouble, she is the only one he can talk to who would listen.

Image: Ralph Piezas/NurPhoto/Corbis

Samson has been in prison for 15 years for multiple murders. He had the flower tattooed on his chest because, since he was young, he has loved arranging and taking care of flowers.

Mashable
is a global, multi-platform media and entertainment company. Powered by its own proprietary technology, Mashable is the go-to source for tech, digital culture and entertainment content for its dedicated and influential audience around the globe.